Wheel flange lubricator



July 1945. B. an; ETAL 2,380,743

WHEEL FLANGE LUBRICATOR Filed Jan 29, .1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -/'/6.-/ v FIG. 2

., 44 F; 38 PC? :5 3 I BEA/67' E. FOLHE' HOMHED MINT/IE1? INVENTORS m2 WW ATTORNEY Patentec Lluly 3.1, 1945 WHEEL FLANGE LUBBICATOR Bengt E. Folke,

Mamaroneck, and Howard Winther, Harrington Park, N. Y., assignors to Nathan Manufacturing Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 29, 1944, Serial No. 520,286

12 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for supplying lubricant to the wheel flanges of railway locomotives and cars in order to reduce the friction and wear between the flange of the wheel and the rail.

One of the principal difflculties with existing flange lubricators is that they easily get out of adjustment and thus do not deposit the lubricant at the base of the flange as intended; in fact the oil is frequently deposited on the tread of. the wheel instead of at the flange. This, of course, is a serious defect since the locomotive depends on the friction between the wheel and the rail for adhesion, and oil deposited on the tread causes slipp e of the wheel and loss of traction power. A flange oiler that deposits the oil in the wrong place on the wheel serves no useful purpose and is, instead, detrimental to the satisfactoryoperation of the locomotive.

other difficulty now experienced with flange oilers is that they are hard to adjust properly and for this reason require skillful attention. The flange oiler, being an inconspicuous device, does often receive no attention at all with the result that it does not function as intended.

Certain types of flange oilers are arranged in the form of a shoe or saddle which is held in position by the contour of the wheel flange. This arrangement has the shortcoming, on account of its comparatively heavy weight and high inertia, that, particularly at high speeds, the device does not follow the movement of the wheel smoothly,

but instead is thrown up and down, contacting the flange only occasionally with the result that the application of lubricant is not as uniform as desired. It also causes rapid wear of the flange oiler shoe when so operated.

Still another difliculty with some types of flange oilers is that they have loose connections to permit them to follow the movement of the wheel in relation to the structure of the vehicle; 'no proper provision being made for lubricating these loose connections, they soon wear out, and the device becomes ineffective. V

It is the principal object of the invention. to provide especially compact means for supplying the lubricant to the wheel flange.

Another object is to provide a flange oiler that will readily adjust itself to the combined up and down and lateral movement of the flanged wheel. in relation to its support, in order to deposit the be applied. is self-adjusting and self-lubricating, and which embodies means to overcome the before mentioned difficulties experienced with flange lubricators as made heretofore.

In the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated Fig. 1 shows a front elevational view of the flange oiler partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view;

Fig. 3 is a plan view ofthe flange oiler mechanism; l Fig. 4 is a front elevational view showing the flange oiler at the limit of one of its movements;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view at the limit of another of its movements;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view along the plane of line 6-6 in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a view of the assembled fulcrum member forming part of the device.

Like numbers and references denote similar parts throughout the several views and the following speciflcation.

Referring to Fig. 1, I0 is a conduit from a suitable source of oil supply under pressure (not shown). II is a fitting containing a check valve l2, held against its seat by a light spring l3 for thepurpose of preventing unintentional drainage of the oil from the conduit to.

Oil is admitted into a threaded opening. ll of a flange oiler bracket IS. The oil is conducted through a port l6 into a drilled passage H of a fulcrum post I8, see Figs. 1 and 6. Theport i6 is arranged so that it will always be in communication with the passage ll. The fulcrum post I8 is provided with a retaining nut 41 and is I arranged to turn around its axis 48.

- means of a tapered fit, indicated at, and a lock lubricant at the base of the flange and to prevent that has the oil inlet arranged stationarily in renut 23. An oil passage 24 communicates with the port 20 and carries the oil into ports 25 of the fulcrum pin 2|.

" Referring to Fig. l, the ports 25 areconnected -by means of an annular groove 26 to a passage 21 in*an oil tube support 28, when. the oil is carried through the bore 29 of an oil tube 30 to a flange 3| of a flanged wheel 32. 29a is a rod loosely inserted into tub 30 to prevent too copious a discharge of oil.

Referring to Fig. 2, the tread diameter of the wheel is indicated at 32 and the outer flange diamlation to the supporting bracket, that can easily as 81161 is indicated at The oil tube support 28 is free to turn around the fulcrum pin 2 l.

Referring to Figs. 2, 4 and 5, oil tube support 28 is provided with a lug 34, which limits the angular movement of support 28 by contact against a side 35 of fulcrum post I8. Flange oiler bracket I is also provided with a lug 36 which limits the movement of the fulcrum post l8 by contact against a side 31 of fulcrum post l8. By referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that a lug 38 is located at the top of the flange oiler bracket l5 and that this lug 38 is symmetrical with lug 36 in order to permit the flange oiler bracket l5 to be reversed permitting application on either one side or the other of the vehicle structure. A lug 39 is likewise provided on the opposite side from lug 34 on .oil tube support 28 to permit reversing th'e assembly of the flange oiler.

Referring to Fig. 6, oilseals are provided at 40 and 4| to prevent oil from leaking out around the journal of the fulcrum post I8. Oil seals are also provided t 42 and 43 to prevent oil leakage around the journal bearing of the fulcrum pin 2 I.

The flange oiler bracket I5 is provided with an extension 44 projecting away from the bracket in a plane substantially at right angles to that of the fulcrum post I8 through the bracket and is provided with a guide pin 44a, 46 is an extension projecting away from the oil tube support 28 in a plane substantially parallel to that of fulcrum post l8 and is also provided with a guide pin 46a. Extensions 44 and 46 are in spaced relation to each other and confine a coil spring 45 between them guided by pins 44a and 46a. The flange oiler bracket [5 is arranged with a suitable extension 49 which may be bolted on a member of the vehicle structure indicated at 50.

The limitation of movement of both the fulcrum member made up of post l8 and pin 2| and the tube support 28 by their respective lugs albutting sides of the fulcrum member is particularly provided for to prevent the spring 45 forcing extensions 44 and 46 apart sufliciently to let the spring 45 become disengaged therefrom. The lugs are so arranged that they will not influence the travel of the oil tube due to the motion of the wheel relative to the main bracket 49 or the vehicle structure, the possible travel of the oil tube being within the limitations caused by the lugs. Their principal purpose is to enable the oiler to be handled and applied as an assembled unit.

In operation, oil is conducted from the oil conduit l0 through the passages as described above and the oil is deposited at the base of the wheel flange 3|. The spring 45 by exerting pressure on the extension arm 46 of the oil tube support 28 serves to exert a downward pressure on the oil tube'3ll against the wheel'32. The pressure exerted by spring 45 against the extension arm 46 also tends to turn the fulcrum post 3 around its axis 48 The resultant action of the spring 45 causes the oil tube 3|] to be pressed downwardly and inwardly and thus to maintain its position at the base of the wheel flange 3 l as the wheel moves in and out, and up and down, due to irregularities in the track and the movement of the vehicle structure on its springs.

It will be noted that the individual moving members of the assembly, namely, the fulcrum post I 8 within the bracket, and the tube support 28 over the fulcrum pin 2|, are well lubricated by the oil passing through the assembly from its inlet l4 to ate, reliable in performance, and economical to manufacture. The reduction of number of parts to a minimum also reduces its size to an especially compact one.

It is understood that various changes inform, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim as new, is:

1. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, a fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube rotatably mounted upon said fulcrum member at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of said member in said bracket, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange.

2. A Wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, a fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube rotatably mounted upon said fulcrum member at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of said member in said bracket, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange, and means limiting the rotating movement of said member and said support. 3. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, a fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube rotatably mounted upon said fulcrum member at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of said member in said bracket, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange, and means in said bracket limiting the rotating movement of said fulcrum member in said bracket.

4. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, a fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube rotatably mounted upon said fulcrum member at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of saidmember. in said bracket, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports, in said fulcrum member and support, with said oil tube,an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support andan extension from said support substantially parallel to said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted .by said spring to keep said oil tube in said member in said bracket, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member and support, with said oil tube, an'extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange, means in said bracket limiting the rotating movement of said fulcrum member in said bracket, and means in said support limiting the rotating movement of said support upon said fulcrum member.

6. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, a fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube rotatably mounted upon said fulcrum member at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of said member in said bracket, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange, means in said bracket limiting the rotating movement of said fulcrum member in said bracket, and means in said support limiting the rotating movement of said support upon said fulcrum member, the travel of said oil tube being less than that controlled by th'e limits of said rotating movements.

7. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket fixedly supported adjacent to the Wheel, a fulcrum member rotatalbly mounted in said bracket, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the Wheel flange, a support for said tube rotatably mounted upon said fulcrum member at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of said member in said bracket, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to. said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determinin the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange, lugs symmetrically disposed at both sides of said bracket limiting the rotating movement of said fulcrum member in said bracket, and lugs symmetrically disposed at both sides of said support limiting the rotating movement of said support upon said fulcrum member, said resilient means being disposed symmetrically between the lugs at said bracket and support, respectively.

8. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket, fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube, a, fulcrum member, a post extending from one side of said fulcrum member rotatably and oil tightly mounted in said bracket, a pin extending from another side of said fulcrum member and at substantially right angles to said post, the said support being rotatably and oil tightly mounted upon said pin, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said ful crum member, post, pin, and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to the post of said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange.

9. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket, fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube, a fulcrum member, a post extending from one side of said fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, a pin extending from another side of said fulcrum member and at substantially right angles to said post, the said support being rotatably mounted upon said pin, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member, post, pin, and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to the post of said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange, means in said bracket for limiting the rotating movement of said post, and means in said support for limiting the rotating movement of said support.

10. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket, fixedly supported adjacent to the Wheel, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube, a fulcrum member, a post extending from one side of said fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, a pin extending from another side of said fulcrum member and at substantially right angles to said post, the said support being rotatably mounted upon said pin, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member, post, pin, and support, with said oil tube, an extension from said bracket substantially parallel to said support and an extension from said support substantially parallel to the post of said fulcrum member in said bracket, and a spring confined between said extensions, the lengths of said extensions determining the force exerted by said spring to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said Wheel flange, means in said bracket for limiting th'e rotating movement of said post, and means in said support for limiting the rotating movement of said support, the travel of said oil tube being less than that controlled by the limits of said rotating movements.

11. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket, fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube, a fulcrum member, a post extending from one side of said fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, a pin extending from another side of said fulcrum member and at substantially right angles to said post, the said support being rotatably mounted upon said pin, said bracket having an oil inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member, post, pin, and support, with said oil tube, lugs symmetrically disposed at both sides of said bracket for limiting the rotating movement of said post, an extension from said bracket symmetrical with and between said lugs, other lugs symmetrically disposed at both sides of said support for limiting the rotating movement of said support upon said pin, an extension from said support symmetrical with and between said other lugs, and resilient means disposed between said extensions, to keep said all tube in continual contact with said wheel flange.

12. A wheel flange lubricator including a main bracket, fixedly supported adjacent to the wheel, an oil discharge tube adapted to contact the wheel flange, a support for said tube, a fulcrum member, a post extending from one side of said fulcrum member rotatably mounted in said bracket, a pin extending from another side of said fulcrum member and at substantially right angles to said post, the said support being rotatably mounted upon said pin, said bracket having an oi1 inlet in constant communication, through ports in said fulcrum member, post, pin, and support, with said oil tube, lugs symmetrically disposed at both sides of said bracket limiting the rotating movement of said post by contact with said fulcrum member, an extension from said bracket symmetrical with and between said lugs, other lugs symmetrically disposed at both sides of said support limiting the rotating movement of said support by contact with said fulcrum member, an extension from said support symmetrical with and between said other lugs, and resilient means, disposed between said extensions, to keep said oil tube in continual contact with said wheel flange.

BENGT E. FOLKE. HOWARD WINTHER. 

